Biography

Daniel Herskedal is a musician and composer of extraordinary ability. Unconstrained by limitations and conventions, the Norwegian composer and brass player has earned a reputation as a musician who has pushed his instrument’s boundaries technically and sonically and who creates spellbinding and mesmerically beautiful music.

Following the release of his first album, Slow Eastbound Train on Edition Records in 2015, Herskedal toured throughout Europe. His follow up, The Roc, prompted critics to praise the wide mix of influences from folk, jazz, classical and Arabic sources, while national broadcaster France Musique described the group as one of the most unique and innovative small ensembles.

His third album Voyage emerged as his most defining album yet, merging awe-inspiring beauty with a refreshingly original sound. His new album ‘Call for Winter’, released in June 2020, emerges as Daniel’s definitive statement so far, merging awe-inspiring beauty with a refreshingly original sound. Taking as a starting point the opening track of his 2015 album Slow Eastbound Train, The Mistral Noir, the new album is built on layers of tuba and bass trumpet, with each layer adding more emotion and conviction.

In addition to his recorded output, Daniel has also established himself as a leading composer making a number of commissioned works, including for the BBC Concert Orchestra, Marine Music and the Moscow Patriarchate's Male Choir.

In 2019, Herskedal debuted as a film music composer with music for "The Last Black Man In San Fransisco", produced by Brad Pitt. In 2020, he composed music for Coca Cola's worldwide commercial (Open Like Never Before). In 2021, he received the Spellemann prize in the composer class for the solo album "Call For Winter", and in 2022 received "The Ambies" in Los Angeles for the podcast 9/12 in the category "Best Original Score and Music Supervision".

In 2021, Herskedal had a commissioned work, "Out Of The Fog" for Trondheim - Stavanger - and Moldejazz with the singer-songwriter Emilie Nicolas. The album was nominated for the Spellemann prize in the category "Alternative pop/rock", as well as for the Deutscher Jazzpreis. Herskedal was also nominated in the Spellemann category "International success of the year". His album Harbor (2021) was named world jazz album of the year by British Presto Music and nominated for international album of the year by the Deutscher Jazzpreis.

He has also composed music for several theater performances, films and series, e.g. "Martine" for Discovery in 2022. In the same year, he participated in the album "Raajroe - The Reindeer Caravan" with Marja Mortensson and KORK as soloist, co-composer and orchestrator. The album won the Spellemann in the class for traditional music.

"A stunning score from the jazz composer Daniel Herskedal."

- The New York Times

Awards

• Spellemannprisen nomination (The Norwegian Grammy) in the categories «Internatinal success of the year» and «Alternative Pop/Rock» (for Out Of The Fog

• German Jazz Prize nomination for Internatinal vocal album of the yer for Out of The Fog (2022)

• Spellemannprisen award (The Norwegian Grammy) together with Marja Mortensson for «Raajroe - The Reindeer Caravan» in the traditional category (2022)

• The Ambies (USA) award in the category «Best Original Score and Music Supervision» for the 9/12 podcast (2022)

• German Jazz Prize nomination for International instrumental album of the year for Harbour (2022)

• Presto Music jazz album of the year for Harbour (2022)

• Concert production of the year for children for «Mojhtestasse - Cultural Heirlooms» by Gullsekken/DKS with Marja Mortensson (2022)

• Spellemannprisen award (The Norwegian Grammy) as composer for Call For Winter (2020)

• Best music award at NATOURALE film festival (Germany) for my composition Lååje - Dawn in 2020. Text by Marja Mortensson, performed by Marja and Trondheim Symphony Orchestra.

• Spellemannprisen for best traditional album with Marja Mortensson in 2018 (Mojhtestasse - Cultural Heirlooms) and best jazz album with Marius Neset/Trondheim Jazz Orchestra in 2014.

• Government Grant For Artists by the Norwegian Arts Council in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

• Ambassador of Molde from 2018.

• JazZtipendiet at Moldejazz and commission for Trondheim Jazz Orchestra in 2009.

• Moldejazz talent of the year in 2008.

• Best soloist award at Getxo Jazz Festilal in 2004.